I started into this great "American" craft 25 years ago taking baby steps; I pierced the tin to make beautiful panels into framed pictures but didn't make any traditional useful items. My wife, Debbie who is a decorative artist said to me one day, why don't you learn more about this tinsmithing and make items such as cups, coffee pots, sconces, and cookie cutters, so that "WE" can do things together. Oh by the way, our local museum is looking for someone to be a tinsmith. As most men would do I ignored her and said I have no time. She volunteered as an interruptive guide for the museum and really seemed to like this history thing. So I did what a husband would do and that is to get jealous of her having a good time without me, which is what she wanted anyway. I am now the resident tinsmith at the museum. Little did she know that she would create a "TIN" monster, collecting tools, patterns, and books that fill my basement workshop and the tin shop at the museum. One word of caution, this craft can become very addictive and a great feeling of accomplishment will fall upon you using tools and techniques used since the early 1700's.

 

The class is arranged with projects so that first time tinsmiths and those with experience will find it enjoyable as we work together on projects for both, such as, cookie cutters, cups, and candle sconces. You will find that there are a limited number of operations and an unlimited number of applications working with the tin projects.

 

Tools:  Bring what you use or what you want to learn to use. As basics, please bring tin snips without serrated edges; a wooden, rawhide, or rubber mallet; needle nose pliers; a scratch awl; a ruler that shows 32nds of an inch; and a fine tooth file. Please bring gloves (cotton work gloves). Also I will have tools and machines to share and will provide soldering irons and supplies. Your course fee covers these soldering supplies, two sheets of tinplate, some precut tin, and a few other miscellaneous items.

 

During our time together, we will concentrate on doing. Information sessions and demonstrations will be short and as needed. I believe that you'll learn best by working through your project with coaching as we go along. Before you leave, we want you to know, or know more about such operations as hemming, burring, forming on stakes, lap and lock seaming, wiring, beading, piercing or punching and soldering. We will focus on safe and proper use of the tools and machines which accomplish these operations, as you produce some Tinware during our week together.

 

Looking forward to working and sharing "tinsmithing" experiences with you this week.

 

Tincerely,

 

Jeff Leister

80 Bond St.
Westminster, MD 21157

Phone:410-848 2511
Email: sccarman92@hotmail.com